Believing the Bizarre: Paranormal Conspiracies & Myths

Sleep Paralysis Stories: Volume 1Over the years we have had tons of listeners submit potential sleep paralysis stories, so we decided to combine a handful of them into a new, unique listener submission collection - sleep paralysis stories!Sleep paralysis is a terrifying experience where individuals find themselves conscious but unable to move, often accompanied by hallucinations of shadow figures, entities, and the infamous "old hag."Theories range from supernatural encounters to a dream-like state caused by the brain's inability to control the body during sleep. People from various locations have shared their unsettling experiences, highlighting the fear and helplessness felt during these episodes.Some individuals, like Madison, have had sleep paralysis for years, with recurring visions of a woman in a 1920s dress and the mysterious "Hat Man." Despite the initial terror, Madison eventually found comfort in these encounters, particularly during a difficult period in her life when a shadow figure appeared to offer support. Alex, on the other hand, had a particularly vivid experience involving a menacing dog and a shadowy figure, leaving him questioning the line between reality and dreams.Zacharia, a 15-year-old living in an old San Francisco house, has been sensitive to the paranormal for years. He has seen balls of light, experienced unexplained occurrences, and even encountered an apparition he calls "George."Recently, Zacharia has been experiencing nightly episodes of sleep paralysis, accompanied by strange noises and a feeling of being weighed down, leading him to believe that a poltergeist may be responsible.Kieren, who has had various paranormal encounters, including UFO sightings and experiences with spirits, learned about sleep paralysis through his studies as a biology major.While his first experience was relatively tame, a subsequent episode involved a shadow person appearing in the corner of his eye. By reminding himself that it was a trick of the mind and focusing on relaxing his muscles, Kieren was able to make the shadow disappear and regain control of his body.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordWant to discuss the episode on the day it drops with Tyler and Charlie? Follow on Twitch and check out the extended Twitch streams every Tuesday.Shop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for a new monthly segment! On the fourth Friday of every month, you can expect Bizarre News and Blind Rankings.This month in Bizarre News, we discuss a wide variety of topics. From a puzzling earthquake in Turkey followed by a dazzling display of UFOs, to a mysterious neon blue cloud hovering over Quincy, Massachusetts, we explore the strange and the supernatural.But that's not all! We also delve into the fascinating world of paranormal curiosity, as we reveal which U.S. state tops the charts for ghostly searches. West Virginia, with its rich history and eerie landscapes, takes the crown as the epicenter of the otherworldly.Next, we venture into the cosmos, where scientists may have stumbled upon evidence of hyper-intelligent civilizations living in theoretical Dyson spheres. Could these advanced beings be harnessing the power of stars and black holes?We'll explore the tantalizing possibilities. Finally, we'll take you on a journey into the heart of the Angeles National Forest, where a hiker's recent encounter with a set of mysterious tracks has sparked a frenzy among Bigfoot enthusiasts. Also, we finally have Producer Ben on the main feed and are playing Blind Rankings.This month, Ben has chosen 8 Alien Abduction stories that must rank, but the catch is, we don't know the list of abductions when we start ranking them.We hope you enjoy these new segments!Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordWant to discuss the episode on the day it drops with Tyler and Charlie? Follow on Twitch and check out the extended Twitch streams every Tuesday.Shop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Contorting Entity HugoIt's listener submission time again! The listener has requested to stay anonymous, so as always, we got a Sophia story!From a young age, Sophia possessed an innate sensitivity to the paranormal, able to sense the emotions and energy of those around her, including spirits. Despite her belief in ghosts, she had never directly encountered a shadow person until she was 12 or 13 years old. In her bedroom, she began to feel a presence watching her, which she eventually named "Hugo." Initially, the presence seemed benign, but after a series of unsettling events, including a lotion bottle mysteriously moving and recurring dreams of Hugo clinging to her wall with large, black eyes, Sophia's fear grew, forcing her to seek refuge in her sister's room. Sophia's family home in Georgia, shared by her parents, sister, and grandparents, held its own secrets. She always felt nervous in her grandparents' house, hearing strange noises at night that were dismissed as the settling of an old house.As a young adult, while living in a nearby mother-in-law suite with her fiancé, Sophia experienced intense feelings of panic and unease when alone in the main house, particularly while using the bathroom. These feelings eventually subsided, only to be replaced by scratching sounds and other unexplained occurrences.One morning, while Sophia's grandfather was confined to a hospital bed in the living room, she heard knocking and footsteps while showering. The footsteps ran down the hallway towards the spare rooms, but the door, known for its loud creak, never opened. When Sophia emerged from the bathroom, she found the door still shut and her grandfather claiming to have heard nothing.Shaken, she quickly left the house, marking the end of her personal encounters in the family home. Despite the passing of her grandfather, Sophia's grandmother (Nanny) continues to reside in the house, claiming to have friendly encounters with ghosts.Both Sophia and her Nanny have experienced moments that felt like the presence of her late grandfather, leaving them to wonder about the reality of their experiences. Though the fear was genuine at the time, Sophia now reflects on these events with a sense of curiosity and wonder, forever changed by her journey through the paranormal.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Believing the Bizarre we have three incredibly alien encounters that took place in France.Our first story takes place in the summer of 1944, when 13-year-old Madeleine Arnoux was on a bicycle ride to pick up food from a nearby farm. During a brief rest in a meadow, she stumbled upon a strange, metallic craft and tiny humanoid creatures dressed in brown one-piece suits. Frozen in fear, Madeleine eventually fled the scene, keeping her encounter a secret for nearly 30 years before finally sharing her story with the world.Fast forward to 1954, when railway worker Marius Dewilde experienced a chilling encounter near his home in Nord, France. One night, his dog's incessant barking led him to discover a strange object and two small humanoid figures near the railroad tracks.Paralyzed by a beam of light from the object, Marius helplessly watched as the beings boarded their craft and ascended into the night sky. In the aftermath of the incident, investigators discovered physical evidence supporting Marius's account, solidifying his place in UFO history.Our final story takes us to the picturesque region of Valensole, France, where farmer Maurice Masse had a close encounter of the third kind in July 1965. While taking a cigarette break, Masse noticed an oval-shaped object landing in a nearby lavender field, accompanied by two humanoid figures.When one of the figures raised a cylindrical device, Masse was struck by a beam that left him paralyzed on the ground. As the figures boarded their craft and flew away, they left behind physical evidence that would later support Masse's incredible story.These three extraordinary French alien encounters serve as a testament to the enduring mystery and allure of UFOs in France and beyond.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordWant to discuss the episode on the day it drops with Tyler and Charlie? Follow on Twitch and check out the extended Twitch streams every Tuesday.Shop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are so excited to interview the paranormal podcaster himself, Jim Harold. Another Northeast Ohio paranormal podcaster, Jim Harold is a podcasting pioneer - starting all the way back in 2005.In this interview, we get into why he got into podcasting, some of his favorite stories, any campfire stories that were less than believable to him, retro causality, and more. Jim Harold hosts the Paranormal Podcast along with Jim Harold's Campfire.Additionally, Jim Harold releases books that include stories told to him on the Jim Harold's Campfire Podcast, and his newest book - Volume 6 - just dropped May 7th, 2024.Pick up your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/True-Ghost-Stories-Harolds-Campfire-ebook/dp/B0CTHQSX85/Make sure to check out both The Paranormal Podcast and Jim Harold's Campfire. By the way, you can now expect a new interview with someone in the paranormal world every second Friday of the month!Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordWant to discuss the episode on the day it drops with Tyler and Charlie? Follow on Twitch and check out the extended Twitch streams every Tuesday.Shop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger Warning - Animal abuse and suicide The Haunting of Monte Cristo Homestead: Australia's Most Haunted HouseIn the heart of Junee, nestled between Sydney and Melbourne, lies the Monte Cristo Homestead – a place that has earned the reputation of being Australia's most haunted house. The history of this eerie residence dates back to 1885 when Christopher William Crawley, a wealthy farmer and founder of Junee, built the homestead for his family.Despite the initial struggles, Crawley's fortune changed when the Great Southern Railway Line opened in 1878, and he established a successful hotel along the rail line. However, the Crawley family's story took a dark turn following Christopher's death in 1910. His wife, Elizabeth, became a recluse, confining herself to the attic chapel for the next 23 years. After the last Crawley left in 1948, the house fell into disrepair until Reginald and Olivia Ryan purchased it in 1963, transforming it into a doll museum.It was then that the true extent of the homestead's haunting became apparent. The Ryans reported numerous supernatural occurrences, including ghostly lights, the inexplicable deaths of their animals, and the presence of at least ten ghosts.Among these spirits are Christopher and Elizabeth Crawley, a pregnant maid who jumped to her death from the balcony, Harold – a disabled boy chained in the coach room, Morris – a stable boy who died in a fire, Ethel – an infant who died on the stairs, and Jack Simpson – a caretaker shot to death on the porch in 1960.Visitors to the Monte Cristo Homestead have experienced a range of paranormal phenomena, from feeling icy hands on the stairs to hearing the screams of the deceased. The bloodstains of the pregnant maid are said to reappear on the steps, and children become inexplicably agitated when entering certain areas of the house.The haunting of Monte Cristo Homestead has solidified its status as one of the most terrifying and intriguing paranormal locations in Australia, drawing in those brave enough to explore its dark history.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordWant to discuss the episode on the day it drops with Tyler and Charlie? Follow on Twitch and check out the extended Twitch streams every Tuesday.Shop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Armin Meiwes, known as the Rotenburg Cannibal, shares how childhood fairy tales ignited his dark fascination with cannibalism. He reveals his chilling journey into online communities where such fantasies thrived. Armin details the graphic encounter with Bernd-Jurgen Brandes, including the shocking events that followed their consent for cannibalism. The psychological complexities and societal perceptions surrounding his acts are explored, blending dark humor with serious discussions about ethics and consent in extreme scenarios.

Guardian AngelsFrom ancient Judaic texts to modern esoteric beliefs, the concept of guardian angels - divine entities assigned to watch over humans - has captivated cultures across the ages.Explore the origins of this widespread phenomenon tracing back to the Babylonians and Assyrians.We discuss the hierarchies and ranks of angels described in Christianity, from the supreme Seraphim and Cherubim that commune directly with God, to the powerful Virtues and Archangels like Michael, Raphael and Gabriel tasked with specific virtues and roles.Learn about guardian angels themselves, the lowest rank believed to be individual spiritual companions and protectors accompanying each person from birth to death.Understand their perceived purpose of shielding humans from harm when "it is not their time." Join us as we delve into this fascinating belief found across Abrahamic faiths as well as Hinduism and Buddhism. Whether viewed as literal or symbolic, guardian angels have provided comfort and inspiration to billions throughout the centuries. But, are they believable? Listen now!Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordWant to discuss the episode on the day it drops with Tyler and Charlie? Follow on Twitch and check out the extended Twitch streams every Tuesday.Shop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of Believing the Bizarre! It is Listener Submission time, which you know what that means: creepy and personal stories sent to us from listeners!In this episode, we follow Travis and Brittney's stories. Travis encounters an abandoned hut, a strange grave, and a weird pentagram with candles in the woods near a concrete junkyard.Brittney discusses some of her family hauntings, including an aggressive and terrifying entity who wears a long black trench coat, boots, and has glowing red eyes.Patreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordWant to discuss the episode on the day it drops with Tyler and Charlie? Follow on Twitch and check out the extended Twitch streams every Tuesday.Shop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glitches in the MatrixThis whole "glitch in the matrix" thing has been freaking people out ever since that 1999 movie The Matrix came out.The idea is that our reality isn't real - it's just a simulation. Like, are we actually just minds trapped in bodies, or are we code in some crazy digital world? It really makes you think about whether we even exist or not.Within this supposed simulated reality, weird stuff happens sometimes that just doesn't make sense. Things teleporting across rooms, seeing the same person twice, getting déjà vu - that kind of trippy stuff. It happens fast and then it's over, but it sticks with you, you know? Makes you question what's actually going on.It's not just sci-fi nerds talking about this simulation theory either. Legit scientists like this MIT guy Rizwan Virk have gotten behind it.Virk reckons our universe could basically be a super advanced video game based on physics experiments looking at the building blocks of reality. Crazy, right?But you've got other big brain physicists at places like Harvard saying it's nonsense and there's no proof.Lisa Randall thinks the idea of higher beings making a simulation is just dumb. Still, the whole unknown of it all is pretty mind-bending when you start thinking about dimensions and stuff we can't even comprehend.In the end, whether we reside in a simulated world or not remains an enigma. As we ponder glitches in the matrix and the mysteries of multiple dimensions, we're reminded of the boundless complexities that shroud the nature of our existence, inviting us to explore realms both tangible and beyond.Check out Aly and Nat's podcast, Let's Get Haunted, here: https://www.letsgethaunted.com/welcomePatreon: Support Believing the Bizarre and get tons of extra content by joining our Patreon.For updates, news, and extra content, follow Believing the Bizarre on social media:InstagramFacebookTwitterDiscordShop Merch: You can rep Believing the Bizarre and buy some unique merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices